AUBURNDALE, FLA. – St. Thomas rolled over another spring break trip opponent Monday, defeating Edgewood College of Wisconsin, 8-1.
The No. 1 Tommies ran their record to 11-1 in winning their ninth game in a row, backed by the pitching of sophomore Bryce Gapinski. He picked up his second win of the season by scattering seven hits and four walks over eight innings and recording 17 ground-ball outs. Brandon Stone pitched a scoreless ninth.
St. Thomas scored all the runs it needed in the third inning, crossing the plate three times on four hits. The Tommies added single runs in the 5th, 7th and 8th innings and two in the sixth. Edgewood’s lone run came in the sixth.
Shortstop Roy Larson had a perfect day at the plate with three hits and two walks, and drove in two runners. First baseman Tom Wippler and centerfielder Matt McQuillan each had two hits. Rightfielder Matt Olson had one hit in one official at bat, but also walked twice, was hit by a pitch, executed a sacrifice bunt and stole two bases.
Edgewood (6-4) started pitcher Matt Krueger, who had 19 strikeouts in 17 innings this spring, but only two Tommies went down on strikes in his six innings on the mound. He fell to 2-1.
St. Thomas travels to Fort Myers Tuesday for a noon exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins’ rookie team. The Tommies will finish their Florida trip with nine-inning games against Edgewood and SUNY-Purchase on Wednesday and Thursday in Auburndale.
